We’ve seen way too many talented creatives quit because they couldn’t make it work financially. No doubt, the financial challenges of pursuing a creative or artistic career are daunting, but we felt there wasn’t enough discussion around how to make it work. So, we connected with artists and creatives who’ve been able to earn a full time living from their creative work and asked them to share their stories with our readers.

Luis Colindres

Making a living as a creative has been a daunting but rewarding experience and it took years to reach this milestone. During my final years studying illustration at Columbia College Chicago, I began to send out massive amounts of emails to any address I can get my hands on, particularly in the music industry. Read more>>

Chuck Steele

I have not yet had the opportunity to earn a full-time living from my creative works. My main project has been going on since April of 2020, and has definitely been met with its share of challenges. Read more>>

Adena Brumer

I am currently making a full-time living, but it didn’t happen right away! I was working as a receptionist at an ophthalmology practice that was just sucking my soul. Read more>>

Kirsten Langston

Up until 2010 I was working as an administrator in various offices. In 2010 I got hurt on the job and I was told I would never work again and I would be on disability for the rest of my life. Read more>>

Adam Broud

Moving from having comedy be a side gig to it being my full-time gig has been the greatest thing ever, but yeah, it’s been tough getting there! For a long time I assumed comedy and writing just weren’t viable options for someone like me. Read more>>

Tehila Hatheway

My focus on personal connections and storytelling sets me apart in a competitive field. I invest time in getting to know my clients and showcase their beauty through my lens. Read more>>

Maya Wild

My tattoo journey has been extremely lucky—from the timing to having a great mentor and a reputable workplace right off the bat. Read more>>

Sheldon Greenberg

I have always drawn, even as a kid. When in college working toward a degree in illustration it was suggested that i move to New York after i graduated to pursue my dreams of working with books , magazines and advertising agencies. Read more>>

Benedetto Robinson

Is it possible? The short answer is: at times, yes. The much longer answer is: at times, yes — but only because of the confluence of enormous good fortune, good luck, friends to rely on, a supportive family, and a willingness to cut some corners where comfortable living is concerned. Read more>>

Alice Mizrachi

Transitioning to a full-time artist was a decision I made during my final year at Parsons School of Design. While juggling waiting tables and working at Utrecht, I made a promise to myself that upon graduation, I would leave those jobs behind and pursue my artistic career wholeheartedly. Read more>>

Wolfy Neyda

I’ve been working as a creative professional for the past eight years, and finding my own clients has been the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. Here’s a brief look at my journey: Read more>>

Hannah Makela

I have been working towards making a full-time living as a creative in the book influencer space. It hasn’t been an overnight success, or a path easy to establish, but it has been enjoyable every step of the way. Read more>>

Lucas Silveira

I used to make a full-time living from my creative work. The reason I’d like to discuss is, is to inform other up and coming musicians that the landscape of the music industry has vastly changed and that earning a living by solely being a performing or recording artist, has become nearly impossible. Read more>>

Taylor Borton

I moved to Nashville at age 19 to study audio engineering. Upon graduating, I’ve been in the medical field filling receptionist roles. As of July, I am officially leaping into a full-time focus on music. Read more>>

Terry Podgorski

I’ve ben fortunate enough to earn a living from my creative work for about a decade now. It was a long journey of multiple simultaneous jobs, and the day I was able to walk away from my “day job” as a carpenter and contractor and focus on my creative job was a blessing. Read more>>

Joel Pitney

This is a fascinating topic and one I’ve pursued for much of my life. What I’ve discovered is that there’s really no one “way” to make a living off of your creative passions. Read more>>

Mariah Hagenbach

I’ve been able to make a full-time living wage as a creative for almost seven years now. Before then, I was working four ten hour days at a preschool, while working as a part time photographer for a dispensary on the weekends, and doing occasional brand deals on Instagram when I could. Read more>>

Vinny Picardi

The goal was to always ear a full-time living from music as that is our passion. We wake up every day thinking about music and how we can improve on a path to self reliance. Read more>>

Chase Everett

I’ve been invovled in audio post for film for 15 years, and have been making a living from it for the last 12. Being the son of a music producer, recording engineer, and musician, I’m fortunate that I was raised in the recording studio and immersed in that creative environment as long as I can remember.  Read more>>

Radmila Dolokhanova

My styling journey began in my early 20’s when I worked for a women’s contemporary clothing brand in Los Angeles. It was a start up, so I was given the opportunity to explore every facet of fashion – from dressing the models for our E-comm photo shoots to managing celebrity gifting and public relations requests. Read more>>

Marina Vaskina

Initially, hairstyling was just a casual interest. However, as I discovered my knack for it, it evolved into a passion. Life circumstances led me to transition from finance to a hairstyling business. Read more>>

Ben Tipton

Somehow I have been able to make a good living by being creative. I believe my journey began with drawing over at my grandma’s house. Read more>>

Patrik Khach

Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it was not an overnight success. The journey has been filled with uncertainties and challenges influenced by market conditions and the economy. Read more>>

Christian Zelaya

My photography professor said each career path in the arts is winding and unpredictable, and that was true for mine. I always wanted to be an artist but in college I majored in design, believing it was the only path to a paying career. Read more>>

Kate Jensen

Right now, days and weeks can look perfectly structured or completely all over the place. In one month I may book with a creative agency for 2 weeks where I’ll work 8 hours a day on, say, 6 different films or shows creating the Key Art campaigns (movie posters) for Netflix, Amazon, A24, Hulu etc. Read more>>

Charles Brooks

In the beginning for any artist it is difficult to convince anyone to pay for the art you create, so you have to make a little go a long way. Read more>>

Sasna Asylum

I have been able to earn a full-time living doing creative work. I currently work 24/7 running a small event entertainment company in which I perform Magic, do psychic readings, and set up elaborate rental equipment that I designed and built myself. Read more>>

Haley Bearden

About three years into my business, I had decided to go full time. At the time I had a lot going on. I was also working a full time job while pursuing my dream business and becoming full time with that. Read more>>